More ministers that attended Canadian Evangelist Todd Bentley’s Lakeland Outpouring in Florida are speaking out with concern. Since God TV televised the Lakeland Outpouring worldwide, and many are just as interested in news following the demise of Evangelist Todd Bentley as they were about the nightly meetings in the southern state.
Canadian Todd Bentley filed for divorce from his wife Shonnah, resigned from Fresh Fire Ministries and stepped down from ministry for an undermined length of time because of moral failure.
John Kilpatrick, former pastor of Brownsville Assembly of God church in Pensacola, Fla., along with Evangelist Steve Hill, are both familiar with revival controversy. From 1995 to 2000 they led “The Pensacola Outpouring.” Now Kilpatrick has issued the following statement of “major concern” regarding Todd Bentley’s doctrine:
“Those that know me know that I love revival, but I also place great emphasis on doctrine and integrity. In fact, I make decisions of support of people and their ministries based on these two qualities. That being said, in the very early stages of revival, I went to visit Todd Bentley in Lakeland, Fla. My purpose was to champion revival, and I had great hope that it would be one that would sweep the world.
At that time, I didn’t know much about Todd or his doctrine, but had some concern. Over the last two months, it has become a major concern to me. I have some strong doctrinal issues with his extra-biblical views.
Also, our hearts are saddened that Todd has chosen to resist council from credible individuals and has legally separated from his wife. Our prayers go out to both him and his family. We know this will bring great hurt to many in the Body of Christ. That’s just what this type of thing does. It’s the sheep that usually get hurt the most.”
Kilpatrick isn’t the only voice talking. Dr. C. Peter Wagner, founder of the International Coalition of Apostles (ICA) and the officiating apostle at the public commissioning service of Todd Bentley right before he resigned, is also offering his insights.
“We no longer need to deal with Lakeland I and Bentley as such,” Wagner wrote in a public letter.
Wagner has not been shielded from the Bentley fallout. He said “several have resigned from ICA and other organizations that I lead because they no longer want to be identified with me.”
Nevertheless Wagner is happy with his actions at “Lakeland I” and says, “Looking back, I praise God for using me and others to help bring order to confusion, which is one of the chief biblical tasks of an apostle.”
Some might disagree, however, that any order was introduced. Regarding the future, Wagner says that “Lakeland 2,” under the leadership of Pastor Stephen Strader of Igniters Church, has now begun and the Lakeland Outpouring continues.
